Planners give Bombardier expansion plan lift off

A planning application to expand Bombardier Aerospace's operation in Belfast today took a major step forward.

Planners recommended to Belfast City Council it should approve a proposal for a new 700,000 square feet factory at Bombardier's Airport Road West site to accommodate the innovative processes involved in manufacturing the advanced composite wings for the new C-Series commercial aircraft.

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said: “The C-Series Programme currently employs 270 engineers and support staff engaged in the development of the wings for the new aircraft and will employ 800 people at full production. This decision will be welcome news for the company and its 5,000 employees.

"The application was processed in under five months by the Planning Service's Strategic Projects Team.

"I believe this turnaround once again demonstrates the Planning Service not only recognises but is clearly committed to the vital role it must play in terms of the Northern Ireland economy.”

The new factory building is not only an extension to Bombardier's existing operations at the Airport Road West site, it forms part of a total investment of £520million which represents the largest inward investment in Northern Ireland’s history, .

The application was the subject of pre-application discussions (PADs) resulting in the submission of a good quality planning application.

The Minister added: “This case is a fine example of the PAD process and demonstrates how, through mutual commitment to improve the quality of applications by all concerned, a speedy conclusion can be reached.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The application was the subject of pre-application discussions in September 2008 to December 2008.

2. The application was submitted on 26 January 2009.

3. The proposal is for full planning permission for an extension to the existing aerospace manufacturing facility to include a new 700,000 sq ft factory with associated servicing, landscaping, ancillary buildings and canteen at Bombardier Aerospace, Airport Road West site, Airport Road West, Belfast.

4. For media inquiries please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 0769971 5440 and your call will be returned.